Drip collecting arrangement for refrigerators



June 5, 1951 c, HARBISON 2,555,968

DRIP COLLECTING ARRANGEMENT FOR REFRIGERATORS Filed March 30, 1950 Fig.

Invent or George C. Hawbison,

HIS Attorney.

Jog/2%. AW l.

Patented June 5, 1951 DRIP COLLECTING ARRANGEMENT FOR REFRIGERATORS George C. Harbison, Erie, Pa., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application March 30, 1950, Serial No. 152,799

10 Claims.

3. My invention relates to refrigerator cabinets and more particularly to arrangements for directing and collecting drip from evaporators.

In refrigerators in which an evaporator or cooling unit is placed within the space to be refrigerated moisture, condenses on the cooled surface of the evaporator and after a period of time this moisture builds up into a layer of frost. For efficient operation of the refrigerator it is necessary to remove this layer of frost from time to time. As the frost is melted the resulting water and the ice loosened from the evaporator fall downwardly from the evaporator. Unless some provision is made this water and ice may fall onto food stored within the refrigerator below the evaporator. Accordingly, it is an object of my invention to provide an improved arrangement for directing defrost water and ice from the evaporator into a collecting receptacle.

It is another object of my invention to provide an improved arrangement for minimizing water and ice falling from the evaporator or cooling unit during the defrosting period onto foods stored in the refrigerator.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds and the features of novelty which characterize my invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming part of this specification.

In carrying out the objects of my invention, I provide a deflector adapted to occupy a posi tion within a drip tray or other receptacle or a position extending outwardly from the drip tray. The drip tray is formed to support the deflector in an extended position and to guide the deflector between the two positions. A second deflector is mounted on a wall of the refrigerator cabinet and is arranged to occupy one position adjacent the wall and a second position extending into the receptacle for directing water and ice into this receptacle.

For a better understandingof my invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 shows a portion of a refrigerator illustrating an embodiment of my invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a drip tray utilized in carrying out my invention and Fig. 3 is a side elevation view of a deflector mounted on the inner wall of the refrigerator cabinet.

Referring to Fig. 1, there is shown a refrigerator cabinet I which includes a liner 2 defining a food storage compartment 3. For refrigerating the food storage compartment a cooling unit or evaporator 4 is provided at the 2 upper righthand' portion of the food storage compartment. The evaporator 4 may be supplied with refrigerant from any suitable condensing apparatus (not shown).

In order to support foods stored within the refrigerator a plurality of shelves are provided, one such shelf being shown at 5. Secured to the shelf 5 are two spaced channel members 5 which include slides T and 8. A drip tray or receptacle ii is supported on the upper slidesl. A second and deeper receptacle HI is slidably supported on the lower slides 8. The upper receptacle or drip tray 9 may be utilized to store such items as ice cubes, small'packages of meat,

etc. The lower and larger receptacle l may, during normal usage, be employed for storing meat.

When the evaporator is defrosted water and ice may fall from the evaporator 4 beyond the sides of the drip tray 9 and the receptacle l0 and onto food stored within the compartment 3 below the evaporator. In order to minimize the dripping of water and the falling of ice onto the food in this manner, I have provided an arrangement including deflectors which, during the defrosting period, may be arranged to extend beyond the sides of the drip tray 9 to collect frost and water from the evaporator and direct it into the drip tray. This arrangement includes a deflector ll extending beyond the evaporator at one side of the drip tray and a second deflector l2 positioned to extend beyond the evaporator at the other side of the drip tray. The deflector II is arranged to occupy one position, as shown in Fig. 1, during the defrosting period, and to occupy a second position within the receptacle or drip tray 9, as shown in Fig. 2, duringnormal operation. Inorder to support the deflector l! in eitherof the two positions discussed above and to guide the deflector in movement between these positions the drip tray 9 is provided at each end [3 with a ledge l4 which may be formed integral with the drip tray. Each ledge M is spaced from the bottom !5 of the drip tray to provide an elongated recess 16. The deflector II is formed of a flat, generally rectangular plate having oppositely extending pins or pintles IT at two corners thereof. Each of the pintles I1 is ar ranged to be received within a corresponding elongated recess 16. The deflector is provided with a handle 18 for facilitating movement of the deflector from one position to the other.

During normal usage the deflector H is positioned as shown in Fig. 2 wherein it occupies a relatively small space along one side of the bottom of the drip tray 9. When defrosting is desired the deflector is grasped by the handle 18 and is shifted to the position shown in Fig. 1, wherein the deflector is effective to catch ice and water falling from the lefthand edge of the evaporator 4 and to direct this material into the drip tray 9. In this second position the deflector is arranged so that a portion of the deflector engages the upper edge l9a of the side l9 of the drip tray and the center of gravity of the deflector is located beyond the side l9 of the drip tray; hence the deflector tends to move in a counterclockwise direction urging the pintles H into engagement with the undersurfaces of the ledges M. In order to maintain the deflector II more definitely in the drip collecting position each of the ledges I4 is shaped to provide an upwardly extending recess 20. It can be seen that the deflector H is securely maintained in the drip collecting position by theengagement of the pintles ll within the generally semi-circular recesses One end 29a of each of the ledges i4 is spaced from the side l9 to provide for passage of the pintles 17 to and from the elongated recess 16 for assembly and disassembly of the deflector H and the receptacle 9.

The second deflector I2 is provided for collectdrip water and ice falling from the righthand side of the evaporator 4. In order to mount the deflector I2 for swinging movement two brackets 2| are secured in spaced relationship to the side wall 22 of the liner 2. The deflector i2 is in the form of a generally rectangular flat plate having oppositely extending rods or pintles 23 for supporting the deflector. The pintles 23 are slidably and swingably received within the generally C-shaped. brackets 2|. The deflector I2 is arranged to occupy one position, as shown by the solid lines in Fig. 1, wherein the deflector rests upon a side or edge 24 of the drip tray 9, and a second position, as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 1, wherein the deflector hangs generally vertically adjacent the side wall 22 of the liner 2. During normal operation the deflector i2 is positioned as indicated by the dotted lines so that air may freely circulate past the deflector IQ for normal cooling of the refrigerator. During the defrosting period the deflector I2 is positioned as shown by the solid lines and serves to direct drip water and ice from the evaporator into drip tray 9.

In order to facilitate withdrawal of the drip tray 9 from the refrigerator cabinet at the end of the defrosting period the lower rear corner 25 of the deflector I2 is curved, as shown in Fig. 3,

so that the deflector will be urged upwardly in a clockwise direction by the rear edge 26 of the drip tray as the drip tray is removed from the refrigerator in the normal manner. The lower forward corner of the deflector l2 may be similarly curved, as indicated at 21. In order to insure that the deflector I2 is not inadvertently left in the position shown by the solid lines in Fig. 1 wherein it would block circulation of air undesirably during the normal operation of the refrigerator,the deflector i2 is arranged so that it is gravitybiased to the generally vertical position shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 1. Hence, whenever the drip tray 9 is withdrawn the deflector l2 need not be handled at all. As the drip tray 9 is moved forwardly the deflector l2 rides along the rear edge 26 of the drip tray as explained previously and, when the drip tray has been fully withdrawn, the deflector falls naturally to the vertical position.

Occasionally where a very large amount of frost has been allowed to collect before defrosting a larger amount of water may be directed into the drip tray 9 than can be adequately handled by the drip tray. To prevent such water from overflowing the sides of the drip tray and falling onto the food below the drip tray 9 is formed to provide a tube or passage 28. This tube extends upwardly from the bottom of the drip tray a distance somewhat less than the depth of the drip tray 9 so that when the water collecting therein rises to a predetermined height it overflows through the passage 28 into thelower receptacle or meat pan Hi. The lower receptacle has adequate capacity to handle all of the water even under the most adverse conditions;

While I have shown and described a;specific embodiment of my invention, I do not desire my tacle, said receptacle including a ledge spaced from the bottom thereof, said deflector including a portion resting on an edge of said receptacle in said first position and including a secondportion received between said ledge and said bottom of said receptacle and engaging said ledge in said first position of said deflector to maintain said deflector in said first position.

2. In a refrigerator cabinet including a cooling unit, a receptacle supported below said cooling unit, and a deflector adapted to occupya first position extending beyond a side of said receptacle and a second position within said receptacle, said receptacle including a ledgevspaced from the bottom of said receptacle and providing an elongated recess, said deflector including a portion resting on an edge of said receptacle in said first position and including a second portion received within said elongated recess, said second portion being arranged to movewithin said recess during movement of said deflector between said first and second positions, said second portion of said deflector engaging said ledge in said first position of said deflector to maintain said deflector in said first position.

3. In a refrigerator cabinet includinga cooling unit, a receptacle supported below saidlcooling unit, and a deflector adapted to occupy a first position extending beyond a side of said receptacle and a second position within said receptacle, said receptacle including a ledge spaced from the bottom of said receptacle and providing an elongated recess, said deflector including a portion resting on an edge of said receptacle in first position and including a second portion received within said elongated recess, said second portion being arranged to move within said recess during movement of said deflector between said first and second positions, the center of ravity of said deflector being located beyond said side of said receptacle whereby said second portion of said deflector is urged into engagement with said ledge in said first position of said deflector to maintain said deflector in said first position.

4, In a refrigerator cabinet including a cooling unit, a receptacle supported below said cooling unit, and a deflector adapted to occupy a first position extending beyond aside of said receptacle and a second position within said receptacle, said receptacle including a ledge spaced from the bottom of said receptacle and providing an elongated recess, said deflector including a portion resting on an edge of said receptacle in said first position and including a second portion received within said elongated recess, said second portion being arranged to move within said recess during movement of said deflector between said first and second positions, said second portion of said deflector engaging said ledge in saidfirst position of said deflector to maintain said deflector in said first position, said elongated recess being shaped to provide an upwardly extending recess for receiving said sec- 'ond portion of said deflector in said first position of said deflector to facilitate maintaining said deflector in said first position.

5. In a refrigerator cabinet including a cooling unit, a receptacle supported below said cool ing unit, and a deflector adapted to occupy a first position extending beyond a side of said receptacle and a second position within said receptacle, said receptacle including a first ledge spaced from the bottom of said receptacle and providing a first elongated recess at one end of said receptacle, said receptacle including a second ledge spaced from the bottom of said receptacle and providing a second elongated recess at the opposite end of said receptacle, said deflector including a portion resting on an edge of said receptacle in said first position and further including two pintles, one of said pintles extendingfrom one end of said deflector and being received within said first elongated recess, the other of said pintles extending from the opposite end of said deflector and being received within said second elongated recess, each of said pintles being arranged to move within a corresponding one of said elongated recesses during movement of said deflector between said first and second positions, each of said pintles engaging a .corresponding one of said ledges in said first position of said deflector to maintain said deflector in said first position.

6. In a refrigerator cabinet including a cooling unit, a receptacle supported below said cooling unit, and a deflector adapted to occupy a first position extending beyond a side of said receptacle and a second position within said receptacle, said receptacle including a ledge spaced from the bottom of said receptacle and providing an elongated recess, said deflector including a portion resting on an edge of said receptacle in said first position and including a pintle received within said elongated recess, said pintle being arranged to move within said recess during movement of said deflector between said first and second positions, said pintle engaging said ledge in said first position of said deflector to maintain said deflector in said first position, one end of said ledge being spaced from said side of said receptacle to provide for passage of said pintle to and from said recess for assembly and dissassembly of said deflector and said receptacle.

7. In a refrigerator cabinet including a cooling unit, a receptacle supported below said cooling unit, and a deflector adapted to occupy a first position extending beyond a side of said receptacle and a second position within said receptacle, said receptacle including a first ledge spaced from the bottom of said receptacle and providing an elongated recess at one end of said receptacle, said receptacle including a second ledge spaced from the bottom of said receptacle and providing a second elongated recess at the opposite end of said receptacle, said deflector including a portion resting on an edge of said receptacle in said first position and further including two pintles, one of said pintles extending from one end of said deflector and being received within said first elongated recess, the other of said pintles extending from the opposite end of said deflector and being received within said second elongated recess, each of said pintles being arranged to move within a corresponding one of said recesses during movement of said deflector between said first and second positions, one end of each of said ledges being spaced from said side of said receptacle to permit passage of a corresponding one of said pintles therethrough for assembly and disassembly of said deflector and said tray, each of said ledges being connected at its opposite end to said receptacle for closing said elongated recess to limit movement of said deflector in said second position, each of said elongated recesses being shaped to provide an upwardly extending recess, said deflector in said first position having its center of gravity extending beyond said edge of said receptacle whereby each of said pintles is biased into engagement with a corresponding one of said upwardly extending recesses for maintaining said deflector in said first position.

8. In a refrigerator cabinet including a side wall, a cooling unit positioned generally adjacent said wall, a receptacle supported below said cooling unit, a first deflector adapted to occupy one position extending beyond one side of said receptacle and a second position within said receptacle, said receptacle including a ledge spaced from the bottom of said receptacle and providing an elongated recess, said first deflector including a portion resting on one edge of said receptacle in said first position and including a second portion received within said elongated recess, said second portion being arranged to move within said recess during movement of said first deflector between said first and second positions, said second portion of said first deflector engaging said ledge in said first position of said deflector to maintain said first deflector in said first position, a second deflector, and means for hingedly mounting said second deflector on said wall, said second deflector being arranged to occupy a first position extending over the opposite edge of said receptacle for directing ice and water from the side of said evaporator adjacent said wall into said receptacle and a second position adjacent said wall for permitting circulation of air past said second deflector.

9. In a refrigerator cabinet including a side wall, a cooling unit positioned generally adjacent said side wall, a receptacle supported for sliding movement into and out of said cabinet below said cooling unit, a first deflector adapted to occupy one position extending beyond one side of said receptacle and a second position within said receptacle, said receptacle including a ledge spaced from the bottom of said receptacle and providing an elongated recess, said first deflector including a portion resting on one edge of said receptacle in said first position and including a second portion received within said elongated recess, said second portion being arranged to move within said recess during movement of said deflector between said first and second positions, said second portion of said first deflector engaging said ledge in said first position of said deflector to maintain said defiector in said first position, a second deflector, and means for hingedly mounting said second deflector on said wall, said second deflector comprising a generally rectangular plate arranged to occupy a first position extending over the opposite edge of said receptacle for directing ice and water from the side of said evaporator adjacent to said wall into said receptacle and a second position adjacent said wall for permitting circulation of air past second deflector, the lower rear corner of said second deflector being curved to facilitate upward movement of said deflector by engagement with the rear edge of said receptacle during withdrawal of said receptacle from said cabinet whereby withdrawal of said receptacle is facilitated.

10. In a. refrigerator cabinet including a side wall, a cooling unit positioned generally adjacent to said side wall, a receptacle supported below said cooling unit, a first deflector adapted to occupy one position extending beyond one side of said receptacle and a second position within said receptacle, said receptacle including a ledge spacedifrom the bottom of said receptacle and recess, said second portion being arranged to '8 move within said recess during movement of said deflector between said first and second positions, said second portion of said first deflector engaging said ledge in said first position of said first deflector to maintain said first deflector in said first position, a second deflector, and means for hingedly mounting said second deflector on said wall, said second deflector being arranged to occupy a first position extending over the opposite edge of said receptacle for directing ice and water from the side of said evaporator adjacent said wall into said receptacle and a second position adjacent said wall for permitting circulation of air past said second deflector, said second deflector being gravity-biased to said second position.

GEORGE C. HARBISON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

